AirAsia announces new route to Phnom Penh from Penang

Airlines Published 1 year ago on 10 November 2022 | Author TIN Media
PENANG:

AirAsia announced yet another highly-anticipated new route connecting travellers from Penang to Phnom Penh, starting 10 December 2022 with amazing fares on sale now for a limited time only.

This new route is set to further boost AirAsia’s connectivity within Asean and allow for seamless travel between Cambodia, often dubbed the ‘Kingdom Of Wonder’, and Penang ? AirAsia’s third largest hub in West Malaysia. Following the inaugural flight in December, the flight frequency for this route will be twice weekly initially. AirAsia’s hub on the island of Penang has been steadily growing its route offerings, having just launched its inaugural route to Bali on 20 October 2022. 

Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia said: “We’re thrilled to be launching this new route to Phnom Penh for the first time from another important hub of ours in Malaysia - the ever bustling city of Penang. Following our flight resumption to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia from Kuala Lumpur earlier this year, this new route further reinforces the popularity and demand for tourism in the Kingdom, and AirAsia is honoured to be able to play a pivotal role in connecting travellers to these popular destinations. 

“Phnom Penh is no stranger to AirAsia. Prior to the pandemic, we flew thousands of travellers to and from the city each month and now with the lifting of  travel restrictions to Cambodia, there has been a surge in demand for more flights and routes. We sincerely thank the Cambodian government for their efforts in enabling seamless travel between the two countries, and we look forward to introducing new routes from Malaysia and beyond in line with growing demand for air travel”.

AirAsia to induct 250 Second Officers from cadet pilots program by the end of 2023
Also, AirAsia is resuming the induction of Second Officers who graduated from its cadet pilot program this month after a two and a half year hiatus, to support manpower requirements for next year.

The Second Officers will undergo a ground training and type rating course for six months before being checked out as First Officers. A total of 14 Second Officers who completed their basic flying training in early 2020 reported for duty on 1 November this year.

There will be four batches of cadet pilots to be inducted this year and AirAsia sets to hire more than 180 new Second Officers in 2023.

Riad Asmat said: “We are proud to induct and train new Second Officers again after more than two years. This not only signals the significant travel rebound but also shows that a career in the aviation industry remains attractive and competitive.

“We are also thrilled to announce that our very own cadet pilot program will resume early next year targeting to bring on board more cadet pilots in 2023 to support manpower requirements ahead of rapid aircraft expansion. 

“This is on top of reactivating all 740 pilots who were on furlough under AirAsia Malaysia (AK) by the end of this year and recruiting 372 new cabin crew to meet the surge in demand for air travel.

“Most importantly, hiring these cadet pilots allows us to invest in local talent and commit to supporting a more diverse workforce including 15% new female pilots.”

The AirAsia cadet pilots program is a competency-based training program designed especially for AirAsia together with its training partner. Upon successfully being selected, aspiring pilots will be enrolled into the AirAsia program to earn a Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) with a Frozen Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL) to become AirAsia's Second Officers.